Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday opposed the proposed bill of Senator Manny Pacquiao proposing the creation of a Philippine Boxing Commission.
Drilon said it is “not necessary” to “create a new bureaucracy” when the existing Games and Amusements Board (GAB) already covers the sport of boxing.
“Instead of creating a new body, the present Games and Amusements Board [should] be monitored closely, we provide them with additional funds. If there are 22 fields of sports that they are supervising, then we provide them with enough manpower,” Drilon said.
But Pacquiao, a world boxing champ, said he finds the efforts of the GAB lacking, considering that the board only has 154 employees and is handling 22 sports.
“It’s been a long time. I’m just waiting for the action of the GAB to make action to this very alarming — what’s happening in the boxing industry, not only in boxing pero sa combat sports,” Pacquiao said.
“And wala akong nakitang action or solution for this matter,” he added.
Pacquiao said he is “willing to fight [for] the bill” as at least two of his friends died in the boxing ring.
The said proposal seeks to “promote the safety and welfare of Filipino boxers” by implementing stricter requirement procedures for professional boxers.
“I’m a boxer. I’m an athlete, considered as combat sports. I feel and I know how hard boxing is, in training and in the preparation [for] the fight. It’s been a long time,” Pacquiao said.
Drilon, however, reiterated that the GAB can address the concerns of professional boxers, and may take in more employees if needed.
SOURCE: GMA